Randomized clinical trials in pancreatic cancer.

The authors reviewed 59 prospective, randomized, controlled trials for pancreatic carcinoma that were published between 1977 and 2000. Of the 11 surgical trials, two each studied extent of resection (standard versus pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy) and lymphadenectomy (standard versus extended lymph node dissection), five trials compared different types of pancreaticenteric reconstruction, and one each evaluated the role of prophylactic gastrojejunostomy and chemical splanchnicectomy in the setting of advanced disease.